“The Profit Can’t Be Compared to the Risk”: Examining Decent Work among Older Women Entrepreneurs in Rural Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia’s aging population remains active in the workforce, especially older women in rural areas. The aim of this study is to investigate the working conditions, financial constraints, and adaptive strategies of older women entrepreneurs in Purworejo District, Central Java, Indonesia. Using a mixed-methods approach, the authors conducted surveys (n = 100) and qualitative in-depth interviews followed by focus group discussion (n = 21). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate analysis, while qualitative findings were thematically analyzed. The findings show that most older women work out of financial necessity, choosing businesses according to familiarity and access rather than strategy. Many experiences long working hours, unsafe environments, and lack of health insurance or savings. These results highlight vulnerabilities shaped by age, gender, and work conditions, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies that expand financial access, improve social protection, and promote age-friendly infrastructure to support older women’s livelihoods.